Plugged into a good meal

Lil’ Bit A New York Internet Cafe offers patrons a chance to surf the Web and eat a sandwich.

May 1, 2008

BERKELEY SPRINGS — Recently the Gourmet and a friend decided to get a taste of the Big Apple. No, we didn’t go to New York City, instead we went to Lil’ Bit A New York Internet Cafe. The cafe offers New York bagels, sandwiches, pastries and Seattle’s Best Coffee.

We figured on just stopping for a bagel and coffee. But when we saw the selections on the menu, we decided to make it a sandwich and dessert. Lil’ Bit A New York is not a full-fledged restaurant and grill, but it does have a nice selection of filling sandwiches.

The Gourmet and guest decided on pulled pork and roast beef sandwiches. The Gourmet chose a garlic and onion ciabatta bread. Another choice is whole grain ciabatta, or bagel. My dining companion chose a “Create-a-Sandwich” on a rustic French baguette, another bread choice.

The owner, who was raised in New York, says all breads are frozen fresh in New York, shipped to his cafe, and are only thawed when he’s ready to make sandwiches.

He has a specific blend of Italian dressing, mayo or mustard; and he has Provolone, Swiss or cheddar cheeses, plus fresh cilantro, romaine lettuce, onions and tomatoes to name a few toppings.

Other menu choices include New York Club Combo with roast beef, honey ham and turkey on cheddar, Provolone, romaine, tomato, red onion, cilantro, mayo, oregano, black pepper and salt, smothered in gourmet Italian dressing. It’s the whole of NYC rolled into one sandwich.

Also available is the Green Apple, perhaps named for this area of apple producers and for NYC. It’s cheddar, Provolone, Swiss, romaine, tomato, red onion all on a whole grain ciabatta bread with the special Italian dressing. French Liberty is Provolone or Swiss, roast beef, gourmet Italian, red onion, lettuce and tomato on a French rustic baguette. Then, there’s the Create-a-Sandwich or New York bagels.

The Gourmet’s pulled pork was generous in the amount of meat on a large ciabatta bread, much like half of a loaf of Italian or French bread. The bread did not get soggy or mushy, but stayed soft and firm. In fact, it and the roast beef sandwich would make two meals for some, and did for both of us. The pork was slightly sweet and spicy all at the same time, good and tender. I chose tomato and onion to top it off.

The Gourmet likes to partake in coffee, but usually doesn’t drink gourmet too often. So it was a cup of the Seattle’s Best coffee. Taken black, it was velvety strong but not too strong—rich.

The Gourmet’s dining companion said the roast beef on Provolone, with mayo and onion, was juicy and tasty, filling for someone with hearty hunger. Again, enough for two meals unless you have a very large appetite. The French baguette, like the ciabatta, was firm and soft at the same time. The owner says “French Rustic Baguette” is a fancy New York name for French bread.

Although we didn’t try it this time, the cafe also offers the Lebanese version of homemade Baklava and Humus, a Middle Eastern appetizer of ground chick pea paste served with pita bread.

While enjoying the break, we chose to share a dessert of Key Lime Calypso. It’s a delicate key lime with whipped cream on top of a little sponge cake. It was delicious. Dark, sweet chocolate drizzled on it made for a bit of indulgence. Simple pleasure can be used to describe the other desserts, like Chocolate Cup Creme Brulee, a creme brulee housed inside a chocolate cup; Chocolate Marquise, we’re told, gives a milky truffle taste. Then, there’s Molli Koolz Ice Cream Beads, which look a bit like M&Ms.

For a lighter dessert, 5-ounce orange cranberry muffins are the current muffin on the menu, and 7-ounce cinnamon buns.

I decided also to try the Tazo chamomile tea. It was calming and soothing on what turned out to be an otherwise hectic day. And it “blended” well, with the atmosphere of Lil’ Bit A New York.

As in its name, the cafe is an Internet location, with wireless access and hardwired computers for nominal fees. Plus, there are two respite areas for quiet time or casual conversation. One is in the front of the building next to the food area. There’s the home-feel of someone’s living room. A small table and chairs sit by the window to watch the world go by. And there are comfortable chairs and a sofa in front of a (non-burning) fireplace and large screen television. In another room is a sofa and bookcase. The owner says that’s the library area for quiet reading and reflection. The computers are in the back of the front room behind the counter and stools of the cafe area.

Copy and fax services are also available. Spanish and computer classes are offered, as well as computer repair. Guatemalan items are sold.

So, for a bit of Middle Eastern food or NYC in a comfortable location with friendly service, check out Lil’ Bit A New York Internet Cafe.

Article Photos

The most popular deli sandwich at A Lil’ Bit a New York is the New York Club Combo. It has ham, turkey, roast beef, lettuce, tomato, Swiss and Provolone cheeses and gourmet mayonnaise with Italian dressing on Foccacia bread. (Journal photo by Martin B. Cherry)

Internet is available for patrons at the Lil’ Bit A New York Internet Cafe in Berkeley Springs. (Journal photo by Martin B. Cherry)

A Lil Bit of New York also a gourmet selection of desserts such as the Key Lime Cake, Chocolate Marquis and a Creme Brulee in a Chocolate cup. (Journal photo by Martin B. Cherry)